Stackable dispenser for coiled materials

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus are provided for a stackable dispenser for coiled material. According to one embodiment, the stackable dispenser comprises a first container comprising a substantially circular base portion defining a central opening. An outer wall extends from an outer edge of the base portion, and an inner wall extends from an edge of the central opening in the same direction as the outer wall. The dispenser includes a cover comprising a substantially circular base portion defining a central opening wherein the base portion of the cover is mounted on an edge of the outer wall of the first container opposite the base portion of the first container, and wherein the central opening of the base portion of the cover is substantially aligned with the central opening of the base portion of the first container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of storage containers. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a stackable dispenser for rolledor coiled materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rolled or coiled materials such as rope, wire, cable, hose, tubing,string, twine, chain, or any other materials that are commonly stored,transported, sold, etc. in a roll or coil are commonly stored orpackaged in a number of different manners. For example, wire, rope,tubing etc. is commonly sold and stored in coils bound together by tape,wire, plastic bands, etc. The material may or may not be wrapped orcovered by plastic, paper, cardboard, etc. To use the material, thecovering and/or binding, if any, are removed and the material unrolled.

In other cases, the coiled material may be sold and/or stored in apackage that also serves as a dispenser. For example, electrical wiresuch as Romex® is commonly sold in a cardboard box that includes a holethrough which the wire may be drawn to dispense the wire. The userthreads the wire through the hole. The end of the wire threaded throughthe hole can then be pulled to uncoil and dispense the material asneeded. In other cases, coiled material may be stored and dispensed fromcontainers made of various materials that my be securely stacked orbound together so that more than one type of material can be dispensedfrom a stack of containers.

However, such containers do not allow multiple materials to be dispensedfrom a single, central location while the containers are stackedtogether. Some such containers dispense materials from the side of theindividual containers. Such containers allow multiple materials to bedispensed while the containers are stacked together. However, since thematerials are not dispensed from a single, central location, suchcontainers are awkward, unwieldy, and inconvenient to use. Othercontainers dispense materials from the top or bottom of the container ina central location. However, these containers do not allow the materialto be dispensed from more than one container while the containers arestacked or secured together. These containers require that theindividual containers be unstacked to dispense material from anycontainer other than the top container of the stack.

Therefore, known containers or dispensers for rolled or coiled materialsare inconvenient and inefficient to use since they do not allow multiplematerials to be dispensed from a single, central location while thecontainers are stacked together. It is with respect to theseconsiderations and others that the present invention has been made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a stackable dispenser forrolled or coiled materials according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the stackabledispenser for rolled of coiled materials according to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a cover for the stackable dispenser for rolledor coiled materials according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a storage compartment of a cover for astackable dispenser for rolled or coiled materials according to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method and apparatus are described for a stackable dispenser forcoiled material. The stackable dispenser as described herein is adaptedto dispense multiple coiled materials from a single, central locationfrom stacked containers without the need to unstack the containers.According to one embodiment, the stackable dispenser comprises a firstcontainer comprising a substantially circular base portion defining acentral opening. An outer wall extends from an outer edge of the baseportion, and an inner wall extends from an edge of the central openingin the same direction as the outer wall. The dispenser includes a covercomprising a substantially circular base portion defining a centralopening wherein the base portion of the cover is mounted on an edge ofthe outer wall of the first container opposite the base portion of thefirst container, and wherein the central opening of the base portion ofthe cover is substantially aligned with the central opening of the baseportion of the first container.

As an initial matter, some terms used throughout this description aredefined below.

Terminology

The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims isnot meant to be exclusive rather the term is inclusive meaning “eitheror both”.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “apreferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “one variation”, “avariation” and similar phrases mean that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentor variation is included in at least an embodiment or variation of theinvention. The phrase “in one embodiment”, “in one variation” or similarphrases as used in various places in the specification are notnecessarily meant to refer to the same embodiment or the same variation.

The term “couple” or “coupled” as used in this specification and theappended claims refers to either an indirect or direct connectionbetween the identified elements, components or objects. Often the mannerof the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which thetwo coupled elements interact.

The term “indicia” refers to any words, phrases, numbers, logos,pictures and/or symbols that are intended by an originator of theindicia to have meaning to a viewer thereof.

Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left,right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front andlateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specificorientation of an applicable element or article, and are usedaccordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and arenot necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.

The term “cutout” as used herein refers to a hole or space in the sheetmaterial that is substantially surrounded by remaining sheet materialexcepting a slot, a slit or some similar feature extending from anoutside edge to the cutout. In contrast, the term “cutaway” as usedherein refers to an area wherein sheet material is removed (or couldhave been removed) and wherein at least one outside edge of theremaining sheet material directly abuts the cutaway.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a stackable dispenser forrolled or coiled materials according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. This example shows a stackable dispenser 100 for coiledmaterial comprising a first container 115, a second container 110, and acover 105. According to one embodiment of the present invention, thefirst container 115, second container 110, and cover 105 may each beconstructed of any of a variety of plastics by injection molding orsimilar processes. As can be understood by those skilled in the art,other materials and other manufacturing processes can also be used. Aswill become apparent, embodiments of the present invention may includeone container 110, or any number of containers stacked together.Regardless of the number of containers stacked together, the coiledmaterials stored in each can be dispensed from a single, centrallocation without unstacking the containers.

As shown here, the first container 110 comprises a substantiallycircular base portion 116 defining a central opening 122. Also as shownhere, the base portion 116 of the first container 115 may besubstantially flat. However, in other embodiments, the base portion 116may have a different shape and profile. For example, the base portion116 may be oval, square, rectangular, etc. in shape and/or be ridged,convex, concave, or otherwise configured as suitable to support and feedthe material stored therein.

An outer wall 118 extends from an outer edge of the base portion 116. Asshown here, the outer wall 118 may be substantially contiguous aroundthe perimeter of the base portion 116. Alternatively, the outer wall 118may comprise a number of wall segments extending from the base portion116 at various locations around the perimeter of the base portion 116with open space between the wall segments.

An inner wall 120 extends from an edge of the central opening 122 in thesame direction as the outer wall 118. As shown here, the inner wall 120may be substantially contiguous around the perimeter of the centralopening 122. Alternatively, the inner wall 120 may comprise a number ofwall segments extending from the base portion 116 at various locationsaround the perimeter of the central opening 122 with open space betweenthe wall segments. According to one embodiment of the present invention,the inner wall 120 of the first container 115 extends from the baseportion 116 of the first container 115 to a height less than a height ofthe outer wall 118 of the first container 115. According to anotherembodiment, the inner wall 120 of the first container 115 issubstantially conical in shape. That is, the opening at the top of theinner wall 120 is of a smaller diameter than the bottom of the innerwall 120. In such a case, the inner wall 120 may be higher than theouter wall since the inner wall 120 of the first container 115 mayextend into and through the central opening in the base portion ofanother container stacked on top of the first container 115. Howeverconfigured, the top edge of the inner wall 120 should be positionedand/or shaped to allow material stored in the first container 115 topass over the top edge of the inner wall 120 and into and through thecentral opening of a container that may be stacked on top of the firstcontainer 115.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the firstcontainer 115 may further comprise one or more fasteners 126 adapted tosecure the first container 115 to another container (not shown) whichthe first container may be stacked atop. The fastener 126 may be any ofa variety of possible fasteners such as pins, tabs, threads, etc. Asshown here, the fastener 126 comprises a tab adapted to mate with acorresponding slot (not shown here) in another container.

According to another embodiment, the first container 115 may alsocomprise a positioning ring 124 extending from the base portion 116 ofthe first container 115 near the outer edge of the base portion 116 ofthe first container 115 and on a side of the base portion 116 of thefirst container 115 opposite the outer wall 118 of the first container115. The positioning ring 124 can be adapted to align the firstcontainer 115 with another container (not shown) which the firstcontainer may be stacked atop. Alternatively, another type of positionermay be used. For example, rather than a ring, a number of tabs, posts,pins, and/or other structures may be used to align the first container115 with another container (not shown) which the first container may bestacked atop.

Similar to the first container 115, the second container 110 comprises asubstantially circular base portion 130 defining a central opening 136.Also as shown here, the base portion 130 of the second container 110 maybe substantially flat. However, in other embodiments, the base portion130 may have a different shape and profile. For example, the baseportion 130 may be oval, square, rectangular, etc. in shape and/or beridged, convex, concave, or otherwise configured as suitable to supportand feed the material stored therein. Regardless of the exact shape, thebase portion 130 of the second container 110 can be mounted on an edgeof the outer wall 118 of the first container 115 opposite the baseportion 116 of the first container 115. When mounted or stackedtogether, the central opening 136 of the base portion 130 of the secondcontainer 110 is substantially aligned with the central opening 122 ofthe base portion 116 of the first container 115.

An outer wall 132 extends from an outer edge of the base portion 130. Asshown here, the outer wall 132 may be substantially contiguous aroundthe perimeter of the base portion 130. Alternatively, the outer wall 132may comprise a number of wall segments extending from the base portion130 at various locations around the perimeter of the base portion 130with open space between the wall segments.

An inner wall 134 extends from an edge of the central opening 136 in thesame direction as the outer wall 132. As shown here, the inner wall 134may be substantially contiguous around the perimeter of the centralopening 136. Alternatively, the inner wall 134 may comprise a number ofwall segments extending from the base portion 130 at various locationsaround the perimeter of the central opening 136 with open space betweenthe wall segments. According to one embodiment of the present invention,the inner wall 134 of the second container 110 extends from the baseportion 130 of the second container 110 to a height less than a heightof the outer wall 132 of the second container 110. According to anotherembodiment, the inner wall 134 of the second container 110 issubstantially conical in shape. That is, the opening at the top of theinner wall 134 is of a smaller diameter than the bottom of the innerwall 134. In such a case, the inner wall 134 may be higher than theouter wall 132 since the inner wall 134 of the second container 110 mayextend into and through the central opening in the base portion ofanother container or cover 105 stacked on top of the second container110. However configured, the top edge of the inner wall 134 should bepositioned and/or shaped to allow material stored in the secondcontainer 110 to pass of the top edge of the inner wall 134 and into andthrough the central opening of a container or cover that may be stackedon top of the second container 110.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the secondcontainer 110 may further comprise one or more fasteners 140 adapted tosecure the second container 110 to the first container 115 when thesecond container 110 is stacked on top of the first container 115. Thefastener 140 may be any of a variety of possible fasteners such as pins,tabs, threads, etc. As shown here, the fastener 140 comprises a tabadapted to mate with a corresponding slot 128 in the first container115.

According to another embodiment, the second container 110 may alsocomprise a positioning ring 138 extending from the base portion 130 ofthe second container 110 near the outer edge of the base portion 130 ofthe second container 110 and on a side of the base portion 130 of thesecond container 110 opposite the outer wall 132 of the second container110. The positioning ring 138 can be adapted to align the secondcontainer 110 with the first container 115 which the second container110 is stacked on top of the first container 115. Alternatively, anothertype of positioner may be used. For example, rather than a ring, anumber of tabs, posts, slots, and/or other structures may be used toalign the second container 110 with the first container 115.

The cover 105 comprises a substantially circular base portion 144defining a central opening 150. As with the first and second containers110 and 115, the base portion 144 may have a different shape andprofile. For example, the base portion 144 may be oval, square,rectangular, etc. in shape and/or be ridged, convex, concave, orotherwise configured. Regardless of the exact shape, the base portion144 of the cover 105 can be mounted on an edge of the outer wall 132 ofthe second container 110 opposite the base portion 130 of the secondcontainer 110. When mounted or stacked together, the central opening 150of the base portion 144 of the cover is substantially aligned with thecentral opening 136 of the base portion 130 of the second container 110.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cover 105 mayfurther comprise an outer wall 146 extending from an outer edge of thebase portion 144 and an inner wall 148 extending from an edge of thecentral opening 150 in the same direction as the outer wall 146. One ormore dividers (not shown here) may extend from the base portion 144 inthe same direction as the outer wall 146 and inner wall 148 and join theouter wall 146 and inner wall 148 forming a plurality of storagecompartments. That is, the dividers, extending from the base portion 144of the cover 105 and extending from the outer wall 146 to the inner wall148 can form a number of storage compartments or trays into which may beplaced items to be used with the coiled material stored in thecontainers 110 and 115. For example, if the containers 110 and 115 areused to store electrical wire, the storage compartments may be used tostore tools such as wire cutters, a crimping tool, a soldering iron,etc. or other items such as wire nuts, terminal connectors, solder, etc.The cover 105 may further comprise a plurality of lids 152-162 coupledwith the inner wall 148 of the cover 105. The lids 152-162 can beadapted to close each of the plurality of storage compartments.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a handle 168 canbe coupled with the inner wall 148 of the cover 105 and can extendacross the central opening 150 of the cover 105. The handle 168 can beshaped and positioned to conform to a user's hand and provide aconvenient means to lift and carry the cover 105 as well as one or morecontainers 110 and 115 stacked together with the cover 105.

The base portion 144 of the cover 105 can be mounted on an edge of theouter wall 132 of the second container 110 opposite the base portion 130of the second container 110. The central opening 150 of the base portion144 of the cover 105 can be substantially aligned with the centralopening 136 of the base portion 130 of the second container 110.According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cover 105 mayfurther comprise one or more fasteners 166 adapted to secure the cover105 to the second container 110. The fastener 166 may be any of avariety of possible fasteners such as pins, tabs, threads, etc. As shownhere, the fastener 166 comprises a tab adapted to mate withcorresponding slots 142 in the second container 110.

According to another embodiment, the cover 105 may further comprise apositioning ring 164 extending from the base portion 144 of the cover105 near the outer edge of the base portion 144 of the cover 105 and ona side of the base portion 144 of the cover 105 opposite the outer wall146 of the cover 105. The positioning ring 164 can be adapted to alignthe cover 105 with the second container 110. Alternatively, another typeof positioner may be used. For example, rather than a ring, a number oftabs, posts, slots, and/or other structures may be used to align thecover 105 with the second container 110.

In use, coiled materials can be placed into the containers 110 and 115prior to the containers being stacked together. A free end of thematerial in the first container 115 can be fed over the inner wall 120of the first container 115 through the central opening 136 of the baseportion 130 of the second container 110 when the second container 110 isstacked on top of the first container 115. Similarly, a free end of thematerial in the second container 110 can be fed over the inner wall 134of the second container 110 through the central opening 150 of the baseportion 144 of the cover 105 while the free end of material stored inthe first container and extending through the central opening 136 of thebase portion 130 of the second container 110 can also be fed through thecentral opening 150 of the base portion 144 of the cover 105 when thecover 105 is stacked on top of the second container 110. Thisarrangement will be further discussed below with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the stackabledispenser for rolled of coiled materials according to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1. This example shows the stackable dispenser 100for coiled material comprising the first container 115, the secondcontainer 110, and the cover 105. As noted above, embodiments of thepresent invention may include one container 110, or any number ofcontainers stacked together.

As shown here, the first container 115 comprises a base portion 116defining a central opening 122. An outer wall 118 extends from an outeredge of the base portion 116. As noted above, the outer wall 118 may besubstantially contiguous around the perimeter of the base portion 116.Alternatively, the outer wall 118 may comprise a number of wall segmentsextending from the base portion 116 at various locations around theperimeter of the base portion 116 with open space between the wallsegments.

An inner wall 120 extends from an edge of the central opening 122 in thesame direction as the outer wall 118. The inner wall 120 may besubstantially contiguous around the perimeter of the central opening122. Alternatively, the inner wall 120 may comprise a number of wallsegments extending from the base portion 116 at various locations aroundthe perimeter of the central opening 122 with open space between thewall segments. According to one embodiment of the present invention, theinner wall 120 of the first container 115 extends from the base portion116 of the first container 115 to a height less than a height of theouter wall 118 of the first container 115. According to anotherembodiment, the inner wall 120 of the first container 115 issubstantially conical in shape. That is, the opening at the top of theinner wall 120 is of a smaller diameter than the bottom of the innerwall 120. In such a case, the inner wall 120 may be higher than theouter wall since the inner wall 120 of the first container 115 mayextend into and through the central opening in the base portion ofanother container stacked on top of the first container 115. Howeverconfigured, the top edge of the inner wall 120 should be positionedand/or shaped to allow material stored in the first container 115 topass of the top edge of the inner wall 120 and into and through thecentral opening of a container that may be stacked on top of the firstcontainer 1 15.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the firstcontainer 115 may further comprise one or more fasteners 126 adapted tosecure the first container 115 to another container (not shown) whichthe first container may be stacked atop. The fasteners 126 may be any ofa variety of possible fasteners such as pins, tabs, threads, etc. Asshown here, the fasteners 126 comprises tabs adapted to mate with acorresponding slot (not shown here) in another container.

According to another embodiment, the first container 115 may alsocomprise a positioning ring 124 extending from the base portion 116 ofthe first container 115 near the outer edge of the base portion 116 ofthe first container 1 15 and on a side of the base portion 116 of thefirst container 115 opposite the outer wall 118 of the first container115. The positioning ring 124 can be adapted to align the firstcontainer 115 with another container (not shown) which the firstcontainer may be stacked atop. Alternatively, another type of positionermay be used. For example, rather than a ring, a number of tabs, posts,slots, and/or other structures may be used to align the first container115 with another container (not shown) which the first container may bestacked atop.

Similar to the first container 115, the second container 110 comprises abase portion 130 defining a central opening 136. The base portion 130 ofthe second container 110 can be mounted on an edge of the outer wall 118of the first container 115 opposite the base portion 116 of the firstcontainer 115. When mounted or stacked together, the central opening 136of the base portion 130 of the second container 110 is substantiallyaligned with the central opening 122 of the base portion 116 of thefirst container 115.

An outer wall 132 extends from an outer edge of the base portion 130.The outer wall 132 may be substantially contiguous around the perimeterof the base portion 130. Alternatively, the outer wall 132 may comprisea number of wall segments extending from the base portion 130 at variouslocations around the perimeter of the base portion 130 with open spacebetween the wall segments.

An inner wall 134 extends from an edge of the central opening 136 in thesame direction as the outer wall 132. The inner wall 134 may besubstantially contiguous around the perimeter of the central opening136. Alternatively, the inner wall 134 may comprise a number of wallsegments extending from the base portion 130 at various locations aroundthe perimeter of the central opening 136 with open space between thewall segments. According to one embodiment of the present invention, theinner wall 134 of the second container 110 extends from the base portion130 of the second container 110 to a height less than a height of theouter wall 132 of the second container 110. According to anotherembodiment, the inner wall 134 of the second container 110 issubstantially conical in shape. That is, the opening at the top of theinner wall 134 is of a smaller diameter than the bottom of the innerwall 134. In such a case, the inner wall 134 may be higher than theouter wall 132 since the inner wall 134 of the second container 110 mayextend into and through the central opening in the base portion ofanother container or cover 105 stacked on top of the second container110. However configured, the top edge of the inner wall 134 should bepositioned and/or shaped to allow material stored in the secondcontainer 110 to pass of the top edge of the inner wall 134 and into andthrough the central opening of a container or cover that may be stackedon top of the second container 110.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the secondcontainer 110 may further comprise one or more fasteners 140 adapted tosecure the second container 110 to the first container 115 when thesecond container 110 is stacked on top of the first container 115. Thefasteners 140 may be any of a variety of possible fasteners such aspins, tabs, threads, etc. As shown here, the fasteners 140 comprise tabsadapted to mate with a corresponding slots 128 in the first container115.

According to another embodiment, the second container 110 may alsocomprise a positioning ring 138 extending from the base portion 130 ofthe second container 110 near the outer edge of the base portion 130 ofthe second container 110 and on a side of the base portion 130 of thesecond container 110 opposite the outer wall 132 of the second container110. The positioning ring 138 can be adapted to align the secondcontainer 110 with the first container 115 which the second container110 is stacked on top of the first container 115. Alternatively, anothertype of positioner may be used. For example, rather than a ring, anumber of tabs, posts, slots, and/or other structures may be used toalign the second container 110 with the first container 115.

The cover 105 comprises a base portion 144 defining a central opening150. The base portion 144 of the cover 105 can be mounted on an edge ofthe outer wall 132 of the second container 110 opposite the base portion130 of the second container 110. When mounted or stacked together, thecentral opening 150 of the base portion 144 of the cover issubstantially aligned with the central opening 136 of the base portion130 of the second container 110.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cover 105 mayfurther comprise an outer wall 146 extending from an outer edge of thebase portion 144 and an inner wall 148 extending from an edge of thecentral opening 150 in the same direction as the outer wall 146. One ormore dividers (not shown here) may extend from the base portion 144 inthe same direction as the outer wall 146 and inner wall 148 and join theouter wall 146 and inner wall 148 forming a plurality of storagecompartments 206 and 208. That is, the dividers, extending from the baseportion 144 of the cover 105 and extending from the outer wall 146 tothe inner wall 148 can form a number of storage compartments 206 and 208or trays into which may be placed items to be used with the coiledmaterial stored in the containers 110 and 115. For example, if thecontainers 110 and 115 are used to store electrical wire, the storagecompartments 206 and 208 may be used to store tools such as wirecutters, a crimping tool, a soldering iron, etc. or other items such aswire nuts, terminal connectors, solder, etc. The cover 105 may furthercomprise a plurality of lids 152 and 158 coupled with the inner wall 148of the cover 105. The lids 152 and 158 can be adapted to close each ofthe plurality of storage compartments 206 and 208.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a handle 168 canbe coupled with the inner wall 148 of the cover 105 and can extendacross the central opening 150 of the cover 105. The handle 168 can beshaped and positioned to conform to a user's hand and provide aconvenient means to lift and carry the cover 105 as well as one or morecontainers 110 and 115 stacked together with the cover 105.

The base portion 144 of the cover 105 can be mounted on an edge of theouter wall 132 of the second container 110 opposite the base portion 130of the second container 110. The central opening 150 of the base portion144 of the cover 105 can be substantially aligned with the centralopening 136 of the base portion 130 of the second container 110.According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cover 105 mayfurther comprise one or more fasteners 166 adapted to secure the cover105 to the second container 110. The fasteners 166 may be any of avariety of possible fasteners such as pins, tabs, threads, etc. As shownhere, the fasteners 166 comprise tabs adapted to mate with correspondingslots 142 in the second container 110.

According to another embodiment, the cover 105 may further comprise apositioning ring 164 extending from the base portion 144 of the cover105 near the outer edge of the base portion 144 of the cover 105 and ona side of the base portion 144 of the cover 105 opposite the outer wall146 of the cover 105. The positioning ring 164 can be adapted to alignthe cover 105 with the second container 110. Alternatively, another typeof positioner may be used. For example, rather than a ring, a number oftabs, posts, slots, and/or other structures may be used to align thecover 105 with the second container 110.

In use, coiled materials 202 and 204 can be placed into the containers110 and 115 prior to the containers being stacked together. A free endof the material 202 in the first container 115 can be fed over the innerwall 120 of the first container 115 through the central opening 136 ofthe base portion 130 of the second container 110 when the secondcontainer 110 is stacked on top of the first container 115. Similarly, afree end of the material 204 in the second container 110 can be fed overthe inner wall 134 of the second container 110 through the centralopening 150 of the base portion 144 of the cover 105 while the free endof material 202 stored in the first container and extending through thecentral opening 136 of the base portion 130 of the second container 110can also be fed through the central opening 150 of the base portion 144of the cover 105 when the cover 105 is stacked on top of the secondcontainer 110.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a cover for the stackable dispenser for rolledor coiled materials according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.The cover 105 comprises a substantially circular base portion (not shownhere) defining a central opening 150. The cover 105 may further comprisean outer wall (not shown here) extending from an outer edge of the baseportion and an inner wall (not shown here) extending from an edge of thecentral opening 150 in the same direction as the outer wall. One or moredividers 302-312 may extend from the base portion in the same directionas the outer wall and inner wall and join the outer wall and inner wallforming a plurality of storage compartments. That is, the dividers302-312, extending from the base portion of the cover 105 and extendingfrom the outer wall to the inner wall can form a number of storagecompartments or trays into which may be placed a variety of items. Thecover 105 may further comprise a plurality of lids 152-162 coupled withthe inner wall 148 of the cover 105. The lids 152-162 can be adapted toclose each of the plurality of storage compartments.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a handle 168 canbe coupled with the inner wall 148 of the cover 105 and can extendacross the central opening 150 of the cover 105. The handle 168 can beshaped and positioned to conform to a user's hand and provide aconvenient means to lift and carry the cover 105 as well as one or morecontainers 110 and 115 stacked together with the cover 105.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a storage compartment of a cover for astackable dispenser for rolled or coiled materials according to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. Shown here is the outer wall 146extending from an outer edge of the base portion 144 and an inner wall148 extending from an edge of the central opening in the same directionas the outer wall 146. Dividers 302 and 304 extend from the base portion144 in the same direction as the outer wall 146 and inner wall 148 andjoin the outer wall 146 and inner wall 148 forming a storagecompartment. That is, the dividers 302 and 304, extending from the baseportion 144 of the cover 105 and extending from the outer wall 146 tothe inner wall 148 can form a storage compartment or tray into which maybe placed items to be used with the coiled material stored in thecontainers. The cover 105 may further comprise a lid 152 coupled withthe inner wall 148 of the cover 105. The lid 152 can be adapted to closethe storage compartment. According to one embodiment of the presentinvention, the lid may be coupled with the inner wall 148 or outer wall146 of the cover 105 by a hinge 402 or other device. Alternatively, thelid 152 may be removable from the outer wall 146 and inner wall 148 ofthe cover 105 and may be snapped into place on the inner wall 148 andouter wall 146 to secure the storage compartment.

The various preferred embodiments and variations thereof illustrated inthe accompanying Figures and/or described above are merely exemplary andare not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to beappreciated that numerous variations of the invention have beencontemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the artwith the benefit of this disclosure. All variations of the cover thatread upon the appended claims are intended and contemplated to be withinthe scope of the invention.

1. A stackable dispenser for coiled material, the dispenser comprising:a first container comprising a substantially circular base portiondefining a central opening, an outer wall extending from an outer edgeof the base portion, and an inner wall extending from an edge of thecentral opening in the same direction as the outer wall; a secondcontainer comprising a substantially circular base portion defining acentral opening, an outer wall extending from an outer edge of the baseportion, and an inner wall extending from an edge of the central openingin the same direction as the outer wall, wherein the base portion of thesecond container is mounted on an edge of the outer wall of the firstcontainer opposite the base portion of the first container, and whereinthe central opening of the base portion of the second container issubstantially aligned with the central opening of the base portion ofthe first container; and a cover comprising a substantially circularbase portion defining a central opening wherein the base portion of thecover is mounted on an edge of the outer wall of the second containeropposite the base portion of the second container, and wherein thecentral opening of the base portion of the cover is substantiallyaligned with the central opening of the base portion of the secondcontainer.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the inner wall of thefirst container extends from the base portion of the first container toa height less than a height of the outer wall of the first container. 3.The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the first containeris substantially conical in shape.
 4. The dispenser of claim 1, whereinthe inner wall of the second container extends from the base portion ofthe second container to a height less than a height of the outer wall ofthe second container.
 5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the innerwall of the second container is substantially conical in shape.
 6. Thedispenser of claim 1, wherein the second container further comprises oneor more fasteners adapted to secure the second container to the firstcontainer.
 7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the second containerfurther comprises a positioning ring extending from the base portion ofthe second container near the outer edge of the base portion of thesecond container and on a side of the base portion of the secondcontainer opposite the outer wall of the second container, thepositioning ring adapted to align the second container with the firstcontainer.
 8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first containerfurther comprises one or more fasteners adapted to secure the firstcontainer to a third container.
 9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein thefirst container further comprises a positioning ring extending from thebase portion of the first container near the outer edge of the baseportion of the first container and on a side of the base portion of thefirst container opposite the outer wall of the first container, thepositioning ring adapted to align the first container with a thirdcontainer.
 10. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cover furthercomprises: an outer wall extending from an outer edge of the baseportion; an inner wall extending from an edge of the central opening inthe same direction as the outer wall; one or more dividers extendingfrom the base portion in the same direction as the outer wall and innerwall and joining the outer wall and inner wall forming a plurality ofstorage compartments; and a handle coupled with inner wall of the coverand extending across the central opening of the cover.
 11. The dispenserof claim 10, wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of lidscoupled with the inner wall of the cover and adapted to close each ofthe plurality of storage compartments.
 12. The dispenser of claim 11,wherein the cover further comprises one or more fasteners adapted tosecure the cover to the second container and a positioning ringextending from the base portion of the cover near the outer edge of thebase portion of the cover and on a side of the base portion of the coveropposite the outer wall of the cover, the positioning ring adapted toalign the cover with the second container.
 13. A stackable dispenser forcoiled material, the dispenser comprising: a first container comprisinga substantially circular base portion defining a central opening, anouter wall extending from an outer edge of the base portion, and aninner wall extending from an edge of the central opening in the samedirection as the outer wall; and a cover comprising a substantiallycircular base portion defining a central opening wherein the baseportion of the cover is mounted on an edge of the outer wall of thefirst container opposite the base portion of the first container, andwherein the central opening of the base portion of the cover issubstantially aligned with the central opening of the base portion ofthe first container.
 14. The dispenser of claim 13, further comprising asecond container comprising a substantially circular base portiondefining a central opening, an outer wall extending from an outer edgeof the base portion, and an inner wall extending from an edge of thecentral opening in the same direction as the outer wall, wherein theouter wall of the second container is mounted on an edge of the baseportion of the first container, and wherein the central opening of thebase portion of the second container is substantially aligned with thecentral opening of the base portion of the first container.
 15. Thedispenser of claim 13, wherein the inner wall of the first containerextends from the base portion of the first container to a height lessthan a height of the outer wall of the first container.
 16. Thedispenser of claim 14, wherein the inner wall of the second containerextends from the base portion of the second container to a height lessthan a height of the outer wall of the second container.
 17. Thedispenser of claim 14, wherein the first container further comprises oneor more fasteners adapted to secure the first container to the secondcontainer.
 18. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the first containerfurther comprises a positioning ring extending from the base portion ofthe first container near the outer edge of the base portion of the firstcontainer and on a side of the base portion of the first containeropposite the outer wall of the first container the positioning ringadapted to align the first container with the second container.
 19. Thedispenser of claim 13, wherein the cover further comprises: an outerwall extending from an outer edge of the base portion; an inner wallextending from an edge of the central opening in the same direction asthe outer wall; one or more dividers extending from the base portion inthe same direction as the outer wall and inner wall and joining theouter wall and inner wall forming a plurality of storage compartments; aplurality of lids coupled with the inner wall of the cover and adaptedto close each of the plurality of storage compartments; one or morefasteners adapted to secure the cover to the first container apositioning ring extending from the base portion of the cover near theouter edge of the base portion of the cover and on a side of the baseportion of the cover opposite the outer wall of the cover, thepositioning ring adapted to align the cover with the first container;and a handle coupled with inner wall of the cover and extending acrossthe central opening of the cover.
 20. A stackable dispenser for coiledmaterial, the dispenser comprising: a first container comprising asubstantially circular base portion defining a central opening, an outerwall extending from an outer edge of the base portion, a substantiallyconical inner wall extending from an edge of the central opening in thesame direction as the outer wall to a height less than a height of theouter wall, one or more fasteners adapted to secure the first containerto a another container mounted on the first container, and a positioningring extending from the base portion of the first container near theouter edge of the base portion of the first container and on a side ofthe base portion of the first container opposite the outer wall of thefirst container the positioning ring adapted to align the firstcontainer with another container mounted on the first container; asecond container comprising a substantially circular base portiondefining a central opening, an outer wall extending from an outer edgeof the base portion, a substantially conical inner wall extending froman edge of the central opening in the same direction as the outer wallto a height less than a height of the outer wall of the secondcontainer, one or more fasteners adapted to secure the second containerto the first container and a positioning ring extending from the baseportion of the second container near the outer edge of the base portionof the second container and on a side of the base portion of the secondcontainer opposite the outer wall of the second container, thepositioning ring adapted to align the second container with the firstcontainer, and wherein the base portion of the second container ismounted on an edge of the outer wall of the first container opposite thebase portion of the first container, and the central opening of the baseportion of the second container is substantially aligned with thecentral opening of the base portion of the first container; and a covercomprising a substantially circular base portion defining a centralopening, an inner wall extending from an edge of the central opening inthe same direction as the outer wall, one or more dividers extendingfrom the base portion in the same direction as the outer wall and innerwall and joining the outer wall and inner wall forming a plurality ofstorage compartments, a plurality of lids coupled with the inner wall ofthe cover and adapted to close each of the plurality of storagecompartments, one or more fasteners adapted to secure the cover to thesecond container and a positioning ring extending from the base portionof the cover near the outer edge of the base portion of the cover and ona side of the base portion of the cover opposite the outer wall of thecover, the positioning ring adapted to align the cover with the secondcontainer, and a handle coupled with inner wall of the cover andextending across the central opening of the cover, wherein the baseportion of the cover is mounted on an edge of the outer wall of thesecond container opposite the base portion of the second container, andwherein the central opening of the base portion of the cover issubstantially aligned with the central opening of the base portion ofthe second container.